Placencia

Placencia: Belize’s Premier Caribbean Beach

Placencia is the premier beach destination on Belize’s Caribbean Coast. The town is located at the end of a long, narrow peninsula, running parallel to the mainland.

Its original name, Punta Placentia, translating to “Pleasant Point”, perfectly characterizes this region’s calm waters and mild weather.

Most visitors come to enjoy Placencia’s beaches and nearby dive zones—Laughing Bird Caye National Park and South Water Caye Marine Reserve, eleven miles offshore.

Gladden Spit

This area’s most famous dive site, the Gladden Spit, is prime whale shark habitat.

These curious giants can be observed (usually on night dives) from March to May and August to October.

Seafood & Handicrafts

The town of Placencia is tiny and relaxed: a collection of seafood restaurants and handicraft shops, bordering along the central sidewalk.

Our favorite resorts are located farther up the peninsula, where development thins and coastal vegetation expands.

Visitors are rewarded with long stretches of powdery beach—perfect for swimming, kayaking and sunbathing.

Other activities include:

• Sailing
• Sport Fishing
• Ultralight Flights

Monkey River Boat Tours

Farther inland, boat tours ply the Monkey River mangroves.

Howler monkeys, crocodiles, and colorful birds are common here.

Lucky visitors can catch a glimpse of a manatee.

Private Wildlife Tours of Cockscomb Basin

For more serious wildlife viewing, privately-guided tours can be arranged to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

This mountainous forest area is home to jaguar, tapir, macaws, and toucans.

Nim Li Punit, and Lubaantun

Guided tours are also available to the Maya sites at Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun.

Placencia can be reached in 35 minutes, by air from Belize City.

By land, Placencia can be reached in about three hours from Belize City and from San Ignacio.